Restrepo and Abettorpunt Backmarkers for Sunday's Hamilton Cup

[Messenger]

http://www.harness.org.au/fields.cfm?mc=HM180115&fromstate=vic#7

It is an interesting looking program
Washakie's full sis Kimama debuts in the 3yo for Peter Manning

[hugdon]

Hey Kev I see Jadahson is in the race. I thought he was recently in a claimers! Was he claimed?. I do not follow eastern states racing closely although I like checking out the breeding of the winners every so often. This years grand circuit seems a little anti climatic without Quinnie zooming down the outside or Smoken up busting someones gut as he rolls to the front. Thanks for the info you and others put here makes for interesting reading. Cheers

[aussiebreno]

Yes Jadahson was in a claimer but he was not claimed. The way N Jack has been getting the away from the stand lately he is in with a red hot crack at this.

[brent_L]

Pretty sure his price tag was 40k in that claimer so not a great surprise he wasn't claimed I would think.

[brent_L]

I'm somewhat bewildered that the horses on the back mark here and others of their ilk didn't make the trek west. Sunday's race is worth 25k while in Perth the prizemoney last Fri + this Fri = 650k.

[Richard prior]

Yes Brent, Not the Strongest WA Pacing Cup and as you mentioned, Horses of this ilk would give it a shake or at least have a real good chance to run into the prizemoney.

[Messenger]

Maybe they could increase the Hamilton prizemoney - just saw an ad for it on TV and it is $15 admittance! My wife asked, "what do you get for that?"

[Richard prior]

Maybe they could increase the Hamilton prizemoney - just saw an ad for it on TV and it is $15 admittance! My wife asked, "what do you get for that?"
Edited this comment after Ash set me straight.

[p plater]

Hey Kev I see Jadahson is in the race. I thought he was recently in a claimers! Was he claimed?. I do not follow eastern states racing closely although I like checking out the breeding of the winners every so often. This years grand circuit seems a little anti climatic without Quinnie zooming down the outside or Smoken up busting someones gut as he rolls to the front. Thanks for the info you and others put here makes for interesting reading. Cheers

Spot on Jim about this years grand circuit, what's also missing is Lance and Gary making headlines with their comments. Love or hate them they make good theatre and create interest. The trainers and drivers of the current top horses are very reserved, if and when they are interviewed.

[Maorisidol]

$15 is a bit stiff Kev, Maybe the club will put on a sausage sizzle or tea and scones, Yes my missus would ask the same question mate.

Come on guys, $15???
Is it a chance for any Club having their "big day" to recoup/save some money, pay some bills, get some money in the bank?
Do you not wish to financially contribute to the sport you love? is it not fair to pay something that may go to the people who run the club, people employed by the club cooking selling food, the person who looks after the numbers distributed to the Trainers, the attendants in the carpark (if any) etc, you get the idea.
And what do you get for $15?
Entertainment.
10 races to watch, a day out. Watching in the flesh, horsepower racing down the front straight, drivers yelling, atmosphere, adrenalin, a punt, some fun, admiration of for example Philadelphia Man winning at Horsham, for goodness sake if that wasnt worth $15 to be there and witness that, you need to question if you really like this sport!!!
Why should it be free? Should everything be free? What determines why you shouldnt pay to go to any trots meeting vs a cycle meeting at a velodrome or even a local footy match?
You pay to go watch AFL, Tennis, Flemington races etc, why shouldnt you pay to go to any trots meeting, its money that can go to the club, money that goes to track maintenance, cleaning of the toilets, painting the stables maybe every 10 years, mowing the lawn, printing racebooks to be thrown in the bin...

[Richard prior]

Come on guys, $15???
Is it a chance for any Club having their "big day" to recoup/save some money, pay some bills, get some money in the bank?
Do you not wish to financially contribute to the sport you love? is it not fair to pay something that may go to the people who run the club, people employed by the club cooking selling food, the person who looks after the numbers distributed to the Trainers, the attendants in the carpark (if any) etc, you get the idea.
And what do you get for $15?
Entertainment.
10 races to watch, a day out. Watching in the flesh, horsepower racing down the front straight, drivers yelling, atmosphere, adrenalin, a punt, some fun, admiration of for example Philadelphia Man winning at Horsham, for goodness sake if that wasnt worth $15 to be there and witness that, you need to question if you really like this sport!!!
Why should it be free? Should everything be free? What determines why you shouldnt pay to go to any trots meeting vs a cycle meeting at a velodrome or even a local footy match?
You pay to go watch AFL, Tennis, Flemington races etc, why shouldnt you pay to go to any trots meeting, its money that can go to the club, money that goes to track maintenance, cleaning of the toilets, painting the stables maybe every 10 years, mowing the lawn, printing racebooks to be thrown in the bin...
All great points Ash and now that you mention it, I retract my last statement as we all tend to forget how many people put their time and effort into a meeting like this. I've been to the trials and runarounds at Shepp a few times when I've been down and some people put on a sausage sizzle etc/ Tea and Coffee which is fantastic and I can't help myself with little things like this and always give the lovely lady a little tip. Your absolutely correct mate, $15 for live action and entertainment is very cheap.

[Maorisidol]

Hey Kev I see Jadahson is in the race. I thought he was recently in a claimers! Was he claimed?. I do not follow eastern states racing closely although I like checking out the breeding of the winners every so often. This years grand circuit seems a little anti climatic without Quinnie zooming down the outside or Smoken up busting someones gut as he rolls to the front. Thanks for the info you and others put here makes for interesting reading. Cheers

This years Grand Circuit seems a little anti climatic???????????????
Now you did say you maybe dont keep up with eastern states racing Jim, but how do you compare these 2 fields below?
We have the Victoria Cup field of 2012 with Quinn and Smoken you mentioned and the rest of the best of the day vs potentially the field for same race 2015.
Which field looks better to you? Whats anyone think of comparing the talent of the 2 fields?
Personally i think this years race is miles in front quality and excitement wise, but thats just my opinion.
I am talking on the whole, not saying the former race isnt good by any means!

VIC CUP 2012 .............. ..... VIC CUP 2015
I’M THEMIGHYTQUINN ..... .. BEAUTIDE
SMOKEN UP .............. ........ CHRISTEN ME
CARIBBEAN BLASTER ..... ..... TERROR TO LOVE
MELPARK MAJOR ..... .......... ADORE ME
TERRORWAY .................... GUARANTEED
MAH SISH ........................ RESTREPO
FRANCO JAMAR ..... .......... PHILADELPHIA MAN
SUSHI SUSHI ..... .............. FOR A REASON
THE GOLD ACE ..... .......... AVONNOVA
WASHAKIE ..... ............... LENNYTHESHARK
BITOBLISS.....
PEMBROOK BENNY.....

[arlington]

All great points Ash and now that you mention it, I retract my last statement as we all tend to forget how many people put their time and effort into a meeting like this. I've been to the trials and runarounds at Shepp a few times when I've been down and some people put on a sausage sizzle etc/ Tea and Coffee which is fantastic and I can't help myself with little things like this and always give the lovely lady a little tip. Your absolutely correct mate, $15 for live action and entertainment is very cheap.


Kev, Richard, a problem to your answer, how about a great value Harness Card for the wife?? :D

[Richard prior]

Kev, Richard, a problem to your answer, how about a great value Harness Card for the wife?? :D
Lmfao Wayne, You know where that would end up with my boss.

[Messenger]

Come on guys, $15???
Is it a chance for any Club having their "big day" to recoup/save some money, pay some bills, get some money in the bank?
Do you not wish to financially contribute to the sport you love? is it not fair to pay something that may go to the people who run the club, people employed by the club cooking selling food, the person who looks after the numbers distributed to the Trainers, the attendants in the carpark (if any) etc, you get the idea.
And what do you get for $15?
Entertainment.
10 races to watch, a day out. Watching in the flesh, horsepower racing down the front straight, drivers yelling, atmosphere, adrenalin, a punt, some fun, admiration of for example Philadelphia Man winning at Horsham, for goodness sake if that wasnt worth $15 to be there and witness that, you need to question if you really like this sport!!!
Why should it be free? Should everything be free? What determines why you shouldnt pay to go to any trots meeting vs a cycle meeting at a velodrome or even a local footy match?
You pay to go watch AFL, Tennis, Flemington races etc, why shouldnt you pay to go to any trots meeting, its money that can go to the club, money that goes to track maintenance, cleaning of the toilets, painting the stables maybe every 10 years, mowing the lawn, printing racebooks to be thrown in the bin...

You're probably right Ash. I suppose we are a bit spoilt by not having to pay at Melton and clubs like Stawell that make their money out of pokies and bistro.
Having been heavily involved in football clubs that rely on member volunteers, I do not think the admittance money would be going to most of those you list but it may go toward better facilities which is often the way sporting clubs that do not have a central funding body work.
I suppose what makes racing a little different is that it is the punting that supports the industry and to get new followers (not that that is us) you dont charge them to come unless you are putting on a big show

If we are an industry we have to be a professional one so do not paint us as a charity case (there are too many far worthier charities) Perhaps we need an industry ruling that it is $5 an adult, $10 a family at every meeting in Vic & ......
I guess it is just a glaring anomaly that the best racing at Melton is free
Be careful not to preach too much Ash - owners for instance contribute so much that HRV should be sending a taxi to pick them up :D

[brent_L]

This years Grand Circuit seems a little anti climatic???????????????
Now you did say you maybe dont keep up with eastern states racing Jim, but how do you compare these 2 fields below?
We have the Victoria Cup field of 2012 with Quinn and Smoken you mentioned and the rest of the best of the day vs potentially the field for same race 2015.
Which field looks better to you? Whats anyone think of comparing the talent of the 2 fields?
Personally i think this years race is miles in front quality and excitement wise, but thats just my opinion.
I am talking on the whole, not saying the former race isnt good by any means!

VIC CUP 2012 .............. ..... VIC CUP 2015
I’M THEMIGHYTQUINN ..... .. BEAUTIDE
SMOKEN UP .............. ........ CHRISTEN ME
CARIBBEAN BLASTER ..... ..... TERROR TO LOVE
MELPARK MAJOR ..... .......... ADORE ME
TERRORWAY .................... GUARANTEED
MAH SISH ........................ RESTREPO
FRANCO JAMAR ..... .......... PHILADELPHIA MAN
SUSHI SUSHI ..... .............. FOR A REASON
THE GOLD ACE ..... .......... AVONNOVA
WASHAKIE ..... ............... LENNYTHESHARK
BITOBLISS.....
PEMBROOK BENNY.....
That's a little like comparing 5 $1 coins to a $5 note imo Ash.

[Richard prior]

This years Grand Circuit seems a little anti climatic???????????????
Now you did say you maybe dont keep up with eastern states racing Jim, but how do you compare these 2 fields below?
We have the Victoria Cup field of 2012 with Quinn and Smoken you mentioned and the rest of the best of the day vs potentially the field for same race 2015.
Which field looks better to you? Whats anyone think of comparing the talent of the 2 fields?
Personally i think this years race is miles in front quality and excitement wise, but thats just my opinion.
I am talking on the whole, not saying the former race isnt good by any means!

VIC CUP 2012 .............. ..... VIC CUP 2015
I’M THEMIGHYTQUINN ..... .. BEAUTIDE
SMOKEN UP .............. ........ CHRISTEN ME
CARIBBEAN BLASTER ..... ..... TERROR TO LOVE
MELPARK MAJOR ..... .......... ADORE ME
TERRORWAY .................... GUARANTEED
MAH SISH ........................ RESTREPO
FRANCO JAMAR ..... .......... PHILADELPHIA MAN
SUSHI SUSHI ..... .............. FOR A REASON
THE GOLD ACE ..... .......... AVONNOVA
WASHAKIE ..... ............... LENNYTHESHARK
BITOBLISS.....
PEMBROOK BENNY.....

2015 field has a lot more depth Ash, No doubt about that and fingers crossed we get to see this line up go around.

[arlington]

Lmfao Wayne, You know where that would end up with my boss.


rolf

[hugdon]

Second attempt to answer/clarify. Anti climatic...... I will admit Ash to being somewhat parochial after living in WA for the past 40 odd years (excuse) however I watched with great anticipation for the moment when Junior would ease Quinnie out for his run, whether it was to make ground or to sprint home the result was the same, fluttering in the belly, dry mouth the coursing of adrenalin. Now we have David Hercules as the pin up boy!!! Mind you I would not sniff at his bankroll. He won the Freo cup and will go close to taking out the pacing cup

[Maorisidol]

Second attempt to answer/clarify. Anti climatic...... I will admit Ash to being somewhat parochial after living in WA for the past 40 odd years (excuse) however I watched with great anticipation for the moment when Junior would ease Quinnie out for his run, whether it was to make ground or to sprint home the result was the same, fluttering in the belly, dry mouth the coursing of adrenalin. Now we have David Hercules as the pin up boy!!! Mind you I would not sniff at his bankroll. He won the Freo cup and will go close to taking out the pacing cup

Yes, and he would be 2nd if Quinn was still around, he shouldnt bother coming Vic...

[codywinnell]

One thing I can say about the Hamilton Pacing Cup is that the club has put in an enormous amount of effort to try and make the day a raging success.
They have a very small, hard-working committee of about four people. They've got (love him or loathe him) Wayne Carey coming along to mingle with the crowd and hand out TAB betting vouchers and help with presentations, Jason Bonnington booked in to run the on-course punters club, Phil Holmes (south-western folk will know of his work) to provide acoustic musical entertainment, and of course a cracking card of racing highlighted by the best pacing cup field I can recall! (Restrepo, Abettorpunt, Arden Rooney, Villagem, Blucolla Tigerpie, Arber etc just to name a few).

I think everyone who goes is going to have a ripper time.

Just hope the sun comes out for all!

[Messenger]

I do not think there will be much sun and pretty mild - maybe even cool at Hamilton. I do not think there will be any showers so a good day should be had by all.
The Cup is at 4.58 people

[Messenger]

Jayson Finnis did not seem to appreciate that he needed to produce some urgency to get the Fav Royal Jacquard off the fence in the 3rd.
Go Betweens was always drawn to beat her but a top effort to run a 27.5 first Q and still manage a 28.0 last in this class (and a smart drive by David Drury)

[Messenger]

Was the winner in the first Dean Braun's first one back?

[Amlin]

Restrepo easily, as easy as Maoris Idol years ago.

Apparently a big crowd.

[apexguy]

Yes Kevin it was Dean Braun's first runner and first winner back. It trialled a couple of weeks ago at Tabcorp Park with Amanda Grieve as trainer. Don't know if any of the horses currently with Amanda Grieve will transfer over to him. I see Alan Donohue has also made a return with a starter the other week.

[Messenger]

Restrepo easily, as easy as Maoris Idol years ago.

Apparently a big crowd.

Tk Rec by Restrepo
From the Sky coverage - it looked anything but a big crowd Kyle (unless they did not go up to the track to watch the Cup). Hamilton being such big town I would have expected more there than at Stawell but I did not see many on the grass bank
Anyone go?

[Maorisidol]

Restrepo easily, as easy as Maoris Idol years ago.

Apparently a big crowd.

Restrepo WOW.
SS 1:57.4 over 2660m 56.8 last half with a leg in the air...WOW
Last years Ballarat Cup winner is back!
Its almost like the Stewart stable has a new horse in it who will be a real competitor as opposed to a participant in the upcoming Group 1 races...

[Richard prior]

Just keeps getting better Ash, Great to see Restrepo back in fine fettle and it just adds another dimension to the upcoming Big Races, How would Gavin Lang be feeling, Talk about spoilt for choice.

[Amlin]

Tk Rec by Restrepo
From the Sky coverage - it looked anything but a big crowd Kyle (unless they did not go up to the track to watch the Cup). Hamilton being such big town I would have expected more there than at Stawell but I did not see many on the grass bank
Anyone go?



I read on Twitter that Dan Mielicki said it was one of the biggest Country Cup crowds he had seen - whether he means this season or overall I don't know!. I tend to agree with you Kev. Tote figures will be interesting - if the crowd is up, they will be too. I will use that as a guide.

[codywinnell]

I read on Twitter that Dan Mielicki said it was one of the biggest Country Cup crowds he had seen - whether he means this season or overall I don't know!. I tend to agree with you Kev. Tote figures will be interesting - if the crowd is up, they will be too. I will use that as a guide.

Unfortunately the on-course tote was down for the first two races - so the bookmaker would have done a roaring trade! But it will affect the on-course betting figures and that was very unfortunate.
I was there and there was a very, very good crowd and a great atmosphere.
Dan Mielicki was full of praise for the club.
After the cup the presentation was watched by a huge throng of people and the betting ring/bar was chockers from R1 to after the last.
The lawn area filled up for each race, but the bulk of the crowd was in the newly named Jim Barker Stand (immediately in front of the winning post).
And Restrepo's win has won harness racing some new fans. I was talking to people who were at the trots for the first time and they were simply awestruck with how he got the job done.

[Amlin]

Good news all round. Hamilton club have fought their way back and deserve the success.

[Messenger]

Unfortunately the on-course tote was down for the first two races - so the bookmaker would have done a roaring trade! But it will affect the on-course betting figures and that was very unfortunate.
I was there and there was a very, very good crowd and a great atmosphere.
Dan Mielicki was full of praise for the club.
After the cup the presentation was watched by a huge throng of people and the betting ring/bar was chockers from R1 to after the last.
The lawn area filled up for each race, but the bulk of the crowd was in the newly named Jim Barker Stand (immediately in front of the winning post).
And Restrepo's win has won harness racing some new fans. I was talking to people who were at the trots for the first time and they were simply awestruck with how he got the job done.

I do not want to sound like a knocker but that Jim Barker Stand and the area in front of it are small. I appreciate that your job is promotion Cody but were there a 1,000 people there?

[codywinnell]

I do not want to sound like a knocker but that Jim Barker Stand and the area in front of it are small. I appreciate that your job is promotion Cody but were there a 1,000 people there?

All good, Kevin, I don't think you sound like a knocker at all with a legitimate question like that.

It's not a huge area but it was jam-packed for each race after about Race 3. Especially for the cup.

But importantly the area along the lawn is also pretty open, and as you'd know the area to the right of the winning post (near the stewards' tower at the end of the straight) was also full-up with viewers. Then there were the punters who didn't leave the bar/betting ring area to watch the action live.

I've been to plenty of Hamilton Cups in my time and I can say the crowd yesterday was bigger than anything there has been for the last 15 years.

[codywinnell]

And just quickly, my job is communications and media more than promotions, Kevin. HRV has a marketing team that looks after that side of things.

[Messenger]

Good to hear they got the crowd they deserved Cody and I did know that your role was not specifically promotion as such. Cheers

ps How was Wayne Carey received and used?

[codywinnell]

For sure, they are a hard-working club.

Carey was well received by the locals! I saw a lot of fans of his wanting to talk to him about the Roos and a lot of other club's fans wanting to tell him they were "a lifelong Demons supporter" etc. To which I heard Wayne say "Well, you're a sucker for punishment then!"

He was great. Enjoyed himself, got involved with the cup presentation etc.

Overall the day was quite casual for a cup meeting - and I think the crowd preferred far more than the old "hoity-toity" type setup that can often scare off the punters.

[Messenger]

Stawell is very casual too. I do however think that you need to have marquees (pre-sell) etc to get a really big crowd. Look at how big nearby Dunkeld's Cup day is. Sure it is a once a year event but a lot of the people you are going to get to your Cup are going to be once a year people

[codywinnell]

Agreed. A few mates and I get a Dunkeld marquee every year - one of the best days on the gallops calendar for mine.